A tragic incident occurred in Wardha district where a 35-year-old man lost his life after falling into a deep pit allegedly created due to illegal sand excavation. The incident took place at Shekapur (Bai) sand ghat in Hinganghat taluka, triggering widespread anger among local residents against the administration and the sand mafia.
Details of the Incident
The deceased has been identified as Rahul Anil Kolse (35), a resident of Shekapur. According to sources, Kolse was crossing the riverbed with his nephew when his nephew lost balance and fell into the water. Kolse rushed to save him but unfortunately fell into a deep pit and drowned. Locals alleged that thousands of tipper vehicles are transporting sand from the Shekapur (Bai) ghat without paying royalty. They also claimed that large roads have been constructed in the riverbed, and excavation has created pits nearly 30 to 40 feet deep.
Local Allegations
Residents expressed outrage, stating that the government spends crores of rupees every year on river conservation campaigns, yet illegal sand excavation continues to cause large-scale damage to riverbeds. They demanded strict action against those responsible for the illegal activities.
Political Response
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) Wardha district president Atul Wandile demanded a detailed inquiry into the incident and strict action against those responsible. He emphasized the need to curb illegal sand mining to prevent such tragedies in the future.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of illegal sand mining in the region, which poses serious risks to both the environment and human lives. The authorities have been urged to take immediate steps to address the problem and ensure the safety of residents.
